COVID-19: Message from our President

Friday, March 13, 2020

To the Meridian community:

We recognize that our country and the world is facing unprecedented shared challenges and uncertainty at this time. I want to assure you that Meridian is closely monitoring the situation and taking measures to ensure the well-being of our staff and program participants so we can serve as a responsible global partner in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Accordingly, as of Friday, March 13, 2020, Meridian has moved our staff and operations to telework until April 24 and postponed in-person exchange and convening programs through May 15, 2020*. Our team is coordinating closely with our program partners and sponsors to facilitate the safe return home of international participants, given the heightened travel advisories and rapidly changing restrictions. We will continue to evaluate the situation and adapt accordingly, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.

Meridian believes that the United States is stronger at home when globally engaged and international cooperation is vital to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. While we have postponed in-person programs, Meridian remains committed to serving as a platform for government, business and diplomatic leaders to gain insight, exchange ideas and collaborate on the challenges we are facing around COVID-19 and other global issues. We are developing new virtual convening programs and opportunities in the weeks ahead, and we encourage you to connect with us and follow our updates on social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram).

The latest COVID-19 developments and information on our previous global health programs can also be found on our website:

Thank you for your ongoing support of Meridian’s mission to strengthen engagement between the United States and the world through diplomacy, global leadership and culture. We look forward to working with you and other members of our global community in the coming weeks to contain and combat the effects of COVID-19. These are uncertain times but we are here for you and we will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Stuart

Ambassador Stuart Holliday
President and CEO

*The dates were updated to April 24 and May 15 given DC government policies and CDC guidelines, respectively, in light of ongoing developments with COVID-19.